The Month Ahead (May 2026)

Published April 30, 2026

Can you believe that we’re at the last full month of the 2025–26 school year?

Throughout May, expect many end-of-year plans—class exams and projects; New York State tests; school events, performances and trips; and so much more. Teachers are not only planning to end the school year on a high note, they are also laying the groundwork for the upcoming 2026–27 school year.

Attend your school’s final round of Parent-Teacher Conferences and learn how your child is doing in all classes. Do they have missed assignments to catch up on, and can they do extra credit to boost their grades before school is out for the year?

May is not all about schoolwork, it is also a month of celebration and remembrance. Our schools will be commemorating the history and heritage of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Jewish Americans in the United States. And near the end of the month, schools will be closed in honor of Memorial Day, as well as to celebrate Eid-al-Adha.

May the Fourth be with you as we raise a toast to the superheroes in our classrooms during Teacher Appreciation Week on May 4–8. Following that week of festivities comes Mother's Day! So don’t forget to give the most influential people in your child’s life—in and out of school—their flowers (literally and figuratively)!

May also has a few key dates for public school families to keep in mind: the last day to accept your child’s Summer Rising offer (May 5), this year's release dates for 2026 3-K (May 19) and Pre-K (May 13) offers, and the last days of Gifted and Talented (G&T) for Grades 1–4 admissions for fall 2026 (May 20). And ahead of the summer heat, we are making plans for our fourth and final Climate Action Day on May 20, with a focus on water consumption. Speak with your child’s school about their activities and learn how you can apply their lessons at home.

With May blooming with events and activities, let's dive into the official 2025–26 NYC Public Schools calendar and see what else is happening this month at NYC Public Schools (NYCPS).

NYC Schools Calendar — May 2026

Date	Details
All Month Long	Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month & Jewish American Heritage Month
Tuesday, April 28–Friday, May 8	NY State Mathematics Assessments for Students in Grades 3–8 Please check with teachers and school staff members at your child's school to learn your child's exact examination dates.
Monday, May 4–Friday, May 8	Teacher Appreciation Week Join us as we celebrate our hardworking educators all week long!
Tuesday, May 5	Last day to accept your Summer Rising offer
Wednesday, May 6	Parent-Teacher Conferences (Middle Schools and District 75 programs) Evening conferences for students attending junior high schools (grades 6–8) and District 75 programs.
Thursday, May 7	Parent-Teacher Conferences (Elementary Schools and Pre-K Centers) Evening conferences for students in grades K–5 as well as students attending K–8 schools and Pre-K Centers.
Friday, May 8	G&T Upper Grade Admissions Closes For current K–3 families who are interested in applying for Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs for fall 2026 placement.
Sunday, May 10	Mother's Day
Monday, May 4–Friday, May 22	NY State English as a Second Language Assessment Tests (NYSESLAT) Administered For students in grades K–12 who are identified as English language learners or multilingual learners; please speak with your child's teachers or counselors to learn more.
Tuesday, May 12	NY State Science Examinations for Students in Grades 5 and 8 Please check with teachers and school staff members at your child's school to learn your child's exact examination dates.
Wednesday, May 20	Parent-Teacher Conferences (High Schools) Evening conferences for students attending high schools (grades 9–12) as well as those attending school buildings with grades K–12 and buildings with grades 6–12 only. Speak with your child's teachers to learn more!
Wednesday, May 20	Climate Action Day #4: Water Schools across the City are celebrating our fourth Climate Action Day with outdoor activities that promote water conservation.
Monday, May 25	Memorial Day (observed) All NYC public schools and NYCPS offices closed.
Wednesday, May 27	Eid al-Adha; schools closed

We celebrate our incredible educators during Teacher Appreciation Week on May 4–8. They not only teach academics and cultivate many skills within the classroom, teachers also set the foundation for success by nurturing and empowering young students to thrive outside of school.

Additional notes about this month's schedule:

May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Throughout the month, NYCPS celebrates Asian American/Pacific Islanders and recognizes their invaluable contributions to the United States! Join in on the celebration by learning more about the activities and events taking place at your child's school, and visit our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month webpage for our recommended reading lists for students of all ages, family-friendly events, activities, and exhibitions that are taking place citywide throughout May.

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage in May

Join NYCPS as we celebrate Jewish American history and heritage by hosting events, providing classroom discussions, and highlighting outstanding books and other great learning resources. Check out our Jewish American Heritage Month webpage for our recommended reading lists, family-friendly events and exhibitions throughout the City, and learning resources you can use with your child.

NY State's ELA, Math, and ESLAT Tests in May

New York State will be administering tests throughout May to different groups of students. Note that exam dates and times vary by school:

Mathematics (Grades 3–8): May 1–8 (the testing period began April 28)
English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT)—Speaking Portion (Grades K–12): May 4–22
Science (Grades 5–8): May 12–15

All three tests will be scored and evaluated in compliance with policies established by both the State Education Department and NYC Public Schools. Speak with your child's teachers to learn your school's exact testing dates and times, as well as for any questions regarding testing accommodations, if applicable.

Thank Your Favorite Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week on May 4–8

Honor New York City's incredible teachers by thanking your favorites all week long at our official NYCPS All Stars webpage! Speak with your child’s school about their plans and join in the celebration!

You can also show your appreciation for your favorite teachers on social media! Use the hashtag, #ThankATeacherNYC, to tell the world how you feel about the City public school teachers who have made a difference in your life.

Accept your Summer Rising Offer by May 5

If you applied to Summer Rising and received an offer, you must accept it by Tuesday, May 5 to secure your child’s seat! Families will not be automatically enrolled. Log in to MySchools to accept or decline your child's offer.

Gifted and Talented (G&T) Upper Grade Application Closes May 8

Families of students currently in grades K–3 who are interested in placing their children into the City’s Gifted & Talented programs and are eligible to apply can submit an application via MySchools until Friday, May 8. Eligibility will be based on report card grades. Learn more on our official Gifted & Talented (G&T) webpage.

May's Climate Action Day: "Water" (May 20)

On Wednesday, May 20, NYCPS across the five boroughs is celebrating this year's fourth and final official Climate Action Day. This month's Climate Action Day theme is "Water," and participating schools will be hosting activities that promote water conservation and stewardship for freshwater sources. Check in with your child's school on their Climate Action Day plans and see how you and your child can also use best practices at home.

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And that's all folks! As we near the school year finish line, bookmark us right here on The Morning Bell, and follow us on our social media channels on X, Instagram, and Facebook to find out what else is happening at NYCPS.

We wish all City families, educators, and students a productive and memorable last full month of the 2025–26 school year!

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